MNN Galleries

7 memorable UFO-inspired images from NASA and beyond

From the Earth to the moon, and beyond

In the later part of the 20th century, UFO sightings were often closely associated with strange activity at various Air Force bases. It’s not hard to understand why. Pictured here is an image taken as a rocket was launched from a nearby Air Force base. As the photographer notes, it is a “COSMO SkyLab4 radar earth imaging satellite [as] launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base with a Delta II rocket.” This spooky, spectral image shows the rocket arching brightly from the Earth’s surface, careening into a cloud cover worthy of any close encounter of the third kind.

Ultimately, while NASA entertains the idea of alien life, the space agency seems hard-pressed to offer up any substantial proof. However, famed astrophysicist Stephen Hawking believes strongly in the presence of aliens and has noted that he believes their arrival on Earth would not “bode well” for humanity. No word on when he thinks the aliens will arrive. In the meantime, perhaps it is prudent for the rest of us to brush up on our alien invasion survival skills.

From the Earth to the moon, and beyond

In the later part of the 20th century, UFO sightings were often closely associated with strange activity at various Air Force bases. It’s not hard to understand why. Pictured here is an image taken as a rocket was launched from a nearby Air Force base. As the photographer notes, it is a “COSMO SkyLab4 radar earth imaging satellite [as] launched from Vandenberg Air Force Base with a Delta II rocket.” This spooky, spectral image shows the rocket arching brightly from the Earth’s surface, careening into a cloud cover worthy of any close encounter of the third kind.

Ultimately, while NASA entertains the idea of alien life, the space agency seems hard-pressed to offer up any substantial proof. However, famed astrophysicist Stephen Hawking believes strongly in the presence of aliens and has noted that he believes their arrival on Earth would not “bode well” for humanity. No word on when he thinks the aliens will arrive. In the meantime, perhaps it is prudent for the rest of us to brush up on our alien invasion survival skills.